IGNITION ZEITGEIST

Ignition Zeitgeist is a handy resource for staying ahead of the cultural curve, covering the latest trends in entertainment, tech and marketing. Delivered straight to your inbox, Ignition Zeitgeist is designed for everyone who wants to stay informed, but only has time for the headlines. Whether it's the latest industry flash-in-the-pan, intriguing augurs of genuine cultural and societal change or the latest ephemeral viral sensation... Ignition Creative has you covered.

April 07, 2025

Trending 1: A Minecraft Movie

The what… To anyone with young children Minecraft needs no introduction. Minecraft is a true gaming giant with over 150 million active players worldwide, the popularity of which has also enabled it to become a licensing leviathan, with everything from pyjamas to pencil cases emblazoned with creepers and other cuboid curiosities. With the recent release of ‘A Minecraft Movie’ proving a blocky blockbuster, the Minecraft IP machine is showing no signs of slowing.

Trending 2: Studio Ghibli / ChatGPT

The what… OpenAI founder Sam Altman sure knows how to pick a fight. The latest iteration of ChatGPT’s image generation enables users to create Studio Ghibli-style AI imagery. Hayao Miyazaki, a co-founder of Studio Ghibli, who had previously gone on the record to say that AI art ‘is an insult to life itself,’ has responded negatively to the latest ChatGPT developments. Studio Ghibli’s legions of dedicated fans have responded with equal displeasure. 

Trending 3: Signal

The what… Apparently there was a small to-do recently concerning a journalist being invited into a messaging group where some rather private matters were being discussed. So many questions, but let’s tackle the most objectively non-political question of all… what exactly is Signal?

Banned from using Signal? Other apps are available…  What is the best secure messaging app?

Maybe it’s just best to book a meeting room…Inside the quest for unbreakable encryption

Trending 4: YouTubers to get big streaming deals 

The what… It’s strange to think that it would be possible to outgrow YouTube, but recent news suggests that YouTube talent is being courted by the big streamers. The success of Prime Video’s Beast Games could be the tipping point in a convergence that has the potential to be extremely lucrative for all involved.

Trending 5: Ubisoft 

The what… It has been a big couple of weeks for Ubisoft. Assassin’s Creed Shadows was finally released on 20th March after a long and arduous development journey. The iconic series returned with a game set in 16th-century Japan and has been widely praised for its gameplay and visuals. However, just a week later Ubisoft announced a partnership with Chinese tech giant Tencent raising questions about Ubisoft’s long-term future. 

Trending 6: 23andMe

The what… Direct-to-consumer genetic testing company 23andMe has filed for bankruptcy. The service became popular amongst people looking to trace their ancestry or identify potential health problems. 23andMe’s demise could be in part due to a general slowing of demand for at-home genetic testing, but a major data breach in 2023 was a significant body blow to the brand. 

Trending 7: April Fools Marketing

The what… John Cleese once said that “sense of humour is so much more subjective than anyone believes” and nothing demonstrates that more than brands’ attempts to bring mirth to the masses on April Fools’ Day. 

Trending 8: Beatles Casting

The what… In news which was definitely NOT an April Fools joke, the four actors selected to play the ‘fab four’ in Sam Mendes’ upcoming Beatles biopics have been announced. The announcement was made at CinemaCon where Mendes also promised that the release strategy will result in the first binge-able theatrical experience.

Monitoring… news to keep an eye on
Monitoring 1: Entertainment / Video Game Crossovers

The what… With 40+ video game based movies currently in development and a string of recent success stories to prove the model, we’re excited to see our two favourite sectors collide and are eagerly watching to see if these crossovers can continue to realise their potential. In this section we also cover video games based on entertainment IP.

Monitoring 2: AI Marketing

The what… Where to start… AI is already having a tangible influence on the entertainment and creative sectors, with the potential for greater impact yet to come. Ignition Zeitgeist will tease out the latest meaningful developments and noteworthy uses.

Monitoring 3: TikTok

The what… It’s been hard to escape the existential drama concerning the future of TikTok in the US. With an array of high profile suitors waiting in the wings and a change of administration, it feels like there are lots of twists and turns to come.

Insight Of The Week

Super Awesome recently highlighted the fragmentation of fandom in their excellent Alpha Impact report. This trend has been driven by a new ecosystem built upon a foundation of infinite content served across a ‘small number of global platforms with unlimited shelf space.’

Ads We Love

Fortnite is no stranger to in-game brand partnerships, but the recent Mentos Fizzooka activation is a rare example of a tie-up that offers genuine value to the player. 

WTF Of The Week

‘At this very moment, no company is more powerful and no tech leader fashion item is more iconic than Nvidia CEO’s Jensen Huang’s leather jacket, which he has been wearing for keynotes and media interviews for years. The company’s chips are in high demand, but judging by the sheer number of online retailers who are trying to steal and sell Huang’s look, it appears that his leather jacket is as well.’ link

And Finally

With breaking news reports revealing the astonishing success of A Minecraft Movie, it feels like an opportune moment to reveal the theme of our next research project. We’ll be focusing on the convergence between gaming and the wider entertainment market with a view to helping our clients understand the opportunities and pitfalls of the video games market.